Daniel m



(No Model.)

1). M. READ.

POCKET BOOK CLASP.

No. 379,724. Patented Mar. 20, 1888.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. PhuXn-Lilhognplwn Washington. D. Q

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL M. READ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

POCKET-BOOK CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,724, dated March 20, 1888.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, DANIEL M. READ, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Clasp for Pocket- Books, &c., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptiom.

The object of my invention is to provide a clasp. for pocket-books, satchel-flaps, and similar articles, said clasp having such construction that it maybe conveniently opened by onehand by a downward and forward movement of the stud-plate.

To this end the invention consists, principally,'of a fastening-plate to go on the body of the pocketbook or other object, formed with an open slot and provided with a retaining device for holding the locking-stud in the recess.

The invention also consists of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view of a pocketbook having my new clasp applied thereto, and Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view showing the clasp closed.

The flap A of the pocket-book is provided with the plate a, formed or provided with the locking piece or stud 1), adapted to enter a slot, 0, in the plate d, secured to the body B of the pocketbook. The plate d is in this instance bent in box formthat is, formed with the side pieces, d cl, to set the plate (I out from the base-platef, so that the latter will not interfere with the stud b entering the slot 0. The side pieces, (2, are, by preference, made tapering, and their lower edges are formed with extensions (Zflwhich pass through the material of the pocketbook and through slots in an under plate, 9, and clinch, as shown in Fig. 2. VVithin the box formed by the slotted plate (Z and side pieces, (1, is secured a spring, h, for retai 11- ing the lockingstud bin the slot 0. This spring in this instance is a plate-spring bent to form the recess 2' and rounded shoulder 15, which latter is the holding device proper for thestud Z).

In locking the pocket-book the flap A is closed down upon the body B, which brings the studb between the rounded and slightly-upturned corners c e of the plate (I, said stud resting upon the spring h. The flap A has then simply to be pressed slightly down and at the same time drawn backward,which causes the stud b to ride over the rounded shoulder i of the spring it into the slot 0 and recess t of the spring. This recess forms a clearance for the stud b and permits the shoulder t" of the spring to have an upward movement and stand in front of the stud to retain it securely in the slot.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A clasp for pocket-books, &c.,comprising aplate, cl, having an open slot, 0, andaspring, It, held below the slot 0 and formed or provided with a shoulder, i, in combination with a stud, 1), adapted to enter said slot and be retained by said spring, substantially as described.

2. The plate (1, side pieces, d,loase f,and open slot 0 in the plate cl, in combination with the retaining-spring h, held below the slot c,and a stud to enter the slot a, substantially as described.

3. The plate cl, side pieces, d, base f, and open slot 0 in the edge of the plate (1, in combination with the retaining-spring h and the plate a and stud b, substantially as described.

DANIEL M. READ.

Witnesses:

HENRY L. GooDWIN, O. SEnGWIo 

